1/10 Update - Hawks snap Pistons win streak with a 106-103 victory

1/8 Update - Greg Monroe Dominates Dallas

Greg Monroe scored 27 points and grabbed 18 rebounds against Dirk Nowitzki and the Dallas Mavericks frontcourt. He even dished out 6 assists! He is averaging 17.5 points and 12.5 rebounds in the New Year. Andre Drummond added 19 rebounds, and D.J. Augustin dropped 26 on the Mavericks second unit, knocking down 4 of the Pistons 10 threes.

1/7 UPDATE - Brandon Jennings Buzzer Beater Beats Spurs

Josh Smith last played for the Detroit Pistons back on December 21st, before being waved and picked up by the Houston Rockets. Since that loss to the Brooklyn Nets, the Pistons have rattled off 7 straight victories. They beat the Indiana Pacers, Cleveland Cavaliers, Orlando Magic, New York Knicks, Sacramento Kings, San Antonio Spurs and the Dallas Mavericks. The Pistons are now 12-23 on the season.

The Josh Smith Effect

In their 1st game sans Smith, 7 players finished in double figures, including 4 starters and Andre Drummond's 20 point night. The team shot 54% from the field and knocked down 10 3s (38.5%) but made just 15 of 29 free throw attempts (51.7%). Drummond made just 2 of his 8 tries.

In their next game against LeBron James and the Cavs, Brandon Jennings led the way with 25 points, knocking down 5 of his 9 3s and 10 of 18 overall. Detroit scored 103 points, and attempted just 9 free throws, made 4. Drummond grabbed 17 rebounds to go along with his 16 points.

The Pistons finished the New Year with a victory over the Magic, and although they were 3-3 in their last 6, they had scored 100+ points in each contest. This time, it was Jodie Meeks going OFF for 35 points, knocking down 9 three pointers. Drummond grabbed 22 boards and scored 17 points.

To start the New Year, Detroit beat the lowly New York Knicks, but failed to score 100 points. Jennings scored 29 of the Pistons 97 points and Drummond grabbed 20 rebounds and scored 7 points.

After a 3 game road trip, the Pistons returned home to beat the Kings, led by Jennings' 35 points. Drummond and Greg Monroe both recorded double-doubles.

5 Game Averages

MIN

FGM-FGA

FG%

3PM-3PA

3P%

FTM-FTA

FT%

REB

AST

BLK

STL

PF

TO

PTS

Jennings

26.6

8.6-15.4

56%

3.4-7.0

49%

1.0-1.2

83%

3.0

5.6

0.0

1.4

1.8

2.0

21.6

Monroe

27

5.0-11.6

43%

-

-

2.8-4.2

67%

10.2

1.6

0.2

1.4

1.6

2.0

12.8

Drummond

31

6.4-10.2

63%

-

-

2.2-7.4

30%

15.8

1.4

2.4

1.8

2.8

1.6

15.0

They Did It

Detroit just beat the San Antonio Spurs and Dallas Mavericks, in back-to-back games on the road. We should start REALLY paying attention to what Stan Van Gundy is doing up in the Motor City!

Houston We Have a Problem

The Houston Rockets have not been so great since adding Smith. They are 3-3 since his joining James Harden and Dwight Howard, and Smith is averaging just 9 points and 5 rebounds. That includes his 21 point debut! The only positive is that he has not ruined Harden or Howard.

However....

Before Smith became a Rocket, Trevor Ariza was having a nice season, averaging about 13 points per game. In 3 of the 6 games, Ariza has failed to score 10 points and has made just 8 of his 38 3PTA.